Staff
Kristy Mansfield is an accomplished dance educator, choreographer, and studio director with an extensive professional background across dance, musical theatre, and performing arts. Her training began in tap dancing under the legendary Les Griffith, where she was among the first dancers to study and examine in his Australian tap syllabus (L.G.T.D.A.). She later completed further tap examinations with Donna Michalitsis and continued her performance and eisteddfod training with Pullar’s Dancing Academy.
Kristy’s performance career is marked by exceptional achievements, including numerous tap and song & dance championships and scholarships, as well as the rare honour of receiving a perfect score of 100/100 at eisteddfod. She trained extensively in Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance), Jazz, Character, and Contemporary dance with Marie Walton-Mahon, former Director of the National College of Dance, Australia. Her training also includes singing and speech & drama, which led to performances in multiple stage musicals and selection as a Lead Dancer in the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games (2000).
Alongside her stage work, Kristy has been involved in corporate and promotional performances through leading event companies and has maintained a strong passion for choreography. Her choreographic work includes major stage productions, most notably 42nd Street, for which she was awarded a City of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) for Best Choreography at the age of nineteen.
Kristy is the founder and director of HVT Studio of Performing Arts, established in 1998 in the Hunter Region of Australia. The studio offers comprehensive performing arts training for beginner through to advanced dancers. Under Kristy’s direction, HVT dancers have achieved consistent success at eisteddfods and championships while progressing into elite training pathways and professional performance opportunities. HVT dancers have performed at prestigious events including Olympic and international ceremonies and have gone on to gain acceptance into leading institutions such as The Australian Ballet School International Training Program, NIDA, The Royal Ballet (UK), the Victorian College of the Arts, Brent Street, and professional cruise contracts.
Kristy is an Associate Member of the Australian Dance Adjudicators organisation and has adjudicated dance competitions and eisteddfods across Australia and New Zealand for over 25 years. She is also a qualified tap examiner, reflecting her depth of knowledge and commitment to excellence in dance education. Kristy remains passionate about mentoring young dancers and fostering strong, confident performers through quality training and industry experience.
KRISTY MANSFIELD
STUDIO DIRECTOR – FOUNDER
Sophie McKie is a highly respected dance educator, choreographer, and adjudicator with nearly three decades of experience in the dance industry, spanning performance, teaching, choreography, adjudication, and dance education leadership. She brings a thoughtful, professional approach to her work, with a strong focus on dancer development, performance quality, and artistic integrity.
Sophie has been a senior teacher at HVT Studio of Performing Arts since 2014, teaching across Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Acro. She has trained across all styles throughout her own dance education, including tap, and is known for emotionally driven, detail-focused choreography with a strong emphasis on musicality, authentic performance, and confident stage presence. Her teaching style prioritises safe technique, confidence building, and long-term dancer wellbeing.
Sophie is regularly engaged by studios and organisations to teach, choreograph, and deliver workshops throughout Australia. This national experience has given her a broad understanding of diverse studio environments, training pathways, and performance expectations.
As an adjudicator, Sophie has judged competitions across Australia and is widely respected for her calm, constructive, and encouraging feedback. Earlier in her career, she also worked as an examiner and syllabus writer with the Australian Dance Institute, contributing to structured dance education pathways.
Beyond the studio, Sophie is the founder of First Steps Bridal, a wedding dance business focused on helping couples feel confident and connected on the dance floor. She is also the creator of Milibelle, a dance advocacy brand promoting inclusivity, representation, and positive change within the dance industry. Sophie is additionally the Social Media Coach and Content Manager for Dance Studio Owners Association, supporting studio owners internationally through education and strategic content development.
Across all areas of her work, Sophie’s goal remains the same — to provide thoughtful guidance and meaningful feedback that supports dancers in becoming confident, expressive, and well-rounded performers.
SOPHIE MCKIE
JAZZ, CONTEMPORARY, LYRICAL, ACRO, BALLET & HIP HOP,
Kylie is a highly trained dance educator with a strong classical foundation and a passion for developing technically sound, confident dancers. She brings a thoughtful and supportive teaching approach, with a particular focus on correct technique, alignment, and dancer wellbeing.
Kylie began her dance training in Tamworth, studying Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary, and completed her Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet examinations through to Advanced 2 with excellent results. Following the completion of her HSC, Kylie undertook further academic study before relocating to Melbourne to complete her Bachelor of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts, majoring in Contemporary Dance. During this time, she trained under the guidance of Sydney Saltner of Bangarra Dance Theatre.
After completing her studies in Melbourne, Kylie moved to Newcastle where she completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching (R.A.D.), further strengthening her expertise in classical ballet education.
Kylie has been part of the HVT Studio of Performing Arts teaching faculty for nearly a decade. She has also worked as a mentor within the Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management program through the Australian Dance Institute (ADI) and taught at the Junior Academy of the Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy (now the National College of Dance), delivering R.A.D. syllabus training across all levels.
With an extensive knowledge and personal interest in anatomy and remedial therapy, Kylie is passionate about safe dance practice and specialises in R.A.D. technique training, supporting dancers to build strong foundations for long-term development.
KYLIE SKINNER
Sally-Ann is a vibrant and enthusiastic dance educator with a strong, well-rounded training background and a genuine love for working with young dancers. She brings a positive, encouraging energy to the classroom and is passionate about helping students build confidence, coordination, and a love of movement in a fun and supportive environment.
Sally-Ann has trained extensively in Jazz, Lyrical, Tap (L.G.T.D.A. and Glenn Wood Tap), and Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance), developing a solid technical foundation across multiple styles. As her training progressed, she expanded her skill set to include Acrobatics, Cheer, Pom, Kick, and Hip Hop, performing in both team and solo settings.
She has competed regularly at National Cheer events in Queensland, Victoria, and Hawaii, gaining valuable experience in high-energy performance environments. Sally-Ann was also a featured tap dancer at Starstruck and has performed in local musical theatre productions including Grease and The Wizard of Oz.
Sally-Ann has completed her Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching and loves supporting students as they learn, grow, and gain confidence in the studio. She is excited to work with the dancers at HVT Studio of Performing Arts, helping nurture their skills while sharing the joy and confidence that dance brings.
SALLY-ANN CAWTHORNE
READY SET DANCE, READY SET BALLET, LEAPS N BOUNDS TODDLER ACRO, COLLECTIVE COMBO, TUMBLE & POM.
Lily Mowbray is an enthusiastic and dedicated dance teacher with a genuine passion for the art of dance and for sharing her knowledge in a positive, encouraging, and engaging environment. She is committed to nurturing each dancer’s confidence, technique, and love of movement while supporting them to reach their full potential.
Lily has a strong and diverse dance background, with training across a wide range of styles including Acro, Ballet, Broadway, Cabaret, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, and Variety. She began her training at Debbie Rae Dancers, where she trained for nine years, developing a solid technical foundation and a deep appreciation for performance and artistry.
She continued her training at Newcastle Ballet Theatre, completing one year in their Part-Time Pre-Professional Program before being accepted into the Full-Time Pre-Professional Program, where she is currently completing her second year as she works towards a professional dance career.
Lily has completed extensive syllabus and examination work, including Glenn Wood Tap Syllabus up to Level 9, Royal Academy of Dance up to Grade 7, and RAD Vocational Syllabus up to Intermediate level. Her performance highlights include a Top 10 Overall placement at Showcase National Dance Championships, consistently high exam results, and performances in contemporary dance exhibitions within art gallery settings.
Lily brings valuable teaching experience working with students across a range of ages and abilities, and she is passionate about creating a supportive classroom environment where dancers feel motivated, inspired, and proud of their progress. She looks forward to helping each student grow while sharing the joy, discipline, and confidence that dance has brought to her own life.
LILY MOWBRAY
TWEEN & TEEN COLLECTVE COMBO, CONTEMPORARY & JAZZ
Kirsten has been a valued part of the HVT Studio of Performing Arts family for 13 years, and we are proud to have her as a staff member after many years of dedication as a student, performer, and now teacher. Throughout her training, Kirsten has studied all styles offered at HVT, developing a strong and versatile foundation across the performing arts.
Having trained under HVT’s three senior teachers — Kristy, Sophie, and Kylie — Kirsten has developed a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of the studio’s training values and expectations. She has been an active member of our competition teams, performing in both solo and group routines, and has gained valuable stage experience through eisteddfods and studio performances.
Kirsten has studied Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet up to and including Intermediate level and is currently working towards completing her final L.G.T.D.A. Tap examinations, continuing to strengthen her technique, musicality, and teaching skills.
Kirsten will be working closely with our Petite and Junior dancers, where she is known for her kind, patient, and encouraging nature. She loves helping young dancers build confidence and coordination, and has a keen eye for detail, ensuring strong foundations are developed from the very beginning.
Kirsten has recently completed Year 12 and is currently studying Law at Newcastle University, while also continuing to work towards completing her full teaching diploma certifications through L.G.T.D.A. She is a wonderful role model for our dancers and brings warmth, care, and a genuine love of dance to her role at HVT.
KIRSTEN OGLE
Paige is a vibrant and enthusiastic assistant teacher who brings energy, warmth, and positivity to every class she supports. She is known for her friendly and bubbly nature, excellent initiative, and natural ability to connect with young dancers, making her a favourite with both students and families.
Paige has been part of the HVT Studio of Performing Arts family for nine years and continues to develop her training across Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Lyrical, while also participating in private lessons. She also completes yearly tap examinations, demonstrating her commitment to consistent technical growth and strong foundational skills.
Paige is a wonderful assistant who works closely with our dancers, particularly within our Preschool classes on Monday afternoons and Junior classes on Tuesdays. She is highly organised, attentive, and supportive, helping to create a positive and structured learning environment where children feel confident, encouraged, and excited to participate.
With her caring personality, strong work ethic, and genuine love of dance, Paige is a valued member of the HVT team and plays an important role in supporting our classes and nurturing our young dancers’ love of dance.
Assitant Teacher
PAIGE
Charlotte is a warm, relaxed, and friendly preschool assistant who brings a calm and nurturing presence to every class she supports. She has a natural way with young children and is loved by our preschool dancers for her gentle encouragement, patience, and kind approach.
Charlotte began her dance training in Queensland and moved to Maitland in 2021, where she joined the HVT Studio of Performing Arts family. She trains across Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, and Pointe, and regularly participates in eisteddfods and examinations, continuing to develop her technique and performance skills.
Charlotte works closely with our Preschool classes, assisting on Monday afternoons and Saturday mornings. She is wonderful at helping young dancers feel safe, confident, and excited to participate, supporting them as they develop coordination, listening skills, and a love of dance.
With her caring nature and gentle teaching style, Charlotte is a valued member of the HVT team and plays an important role in creating a positive and welcoming experience for our youngest dancers.
